Trolley plane



July 7, 1931. H. MANSFELD TROLLEY PLANE Filed Aug. 2?, 192a Patented July 7, 1931' FREDERICK H. MANSFIELD, F HOUSTON. TEXAS TROLLEY rmzm Application filed August 27, 1828 Serial No. 802,18}.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a trolley lane.

One object of the invention is to rovide in combination with an aeroplane an a propeller for propelling the plane along, of a trolley for supporting the plane and a carriage carried by the plane and movable along said trolley.

' The device herein described is adapted to be used primarily for, amusement purposes,

but may also be used for transportation purposes as well as for carrying passengers.

With the above and other objects in view theinvention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts an example of which is given in this specificationand illustrated in the accompanying drawings where- 1 in Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the device, partly in section.

Figure 2 shows a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the Q drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate similar parts in each of the figures the numeral l'deslgnates the fuselage of the aeroplane. Mounted in the fuselage 1s a suitable electric motor 2, but it is to be understood that any suitable type of motor may be employed. The motor shaft 3 is extended forwardly and fixed on the forward end thereof is any conventional type of propeller 4. Mounted on the fuselage in the usual way is the plane 5. The motor 2 and the propeller 4 connected thereto are suflicient to propel the plane along in the usual way. Above the plane there is a supporting track 6 and if an electric motor is employed there is also provided a current conducting trolley wire 7 above the track. The numeral 8 designates a carriage frame which is of an inverted U-shape in cross sectional contour,

. thus having the spaced side flanges 9, 10 connected by the cross web 11. Rotatably mounted between said side flanges are the grooved carrier wheels 12, 12 which are mounted to'rotate on the axles 13, 13 carried by the carriage frame, and the carrier wheels I may be equipped with the anti-friction bearso ings 14, 14, if desired. The carrier wheels 12 run on the track 6. The carriage frame has a depending hanger 15 disposed between the carriage wheels 12 and this hanger supports a grooved safety pulley 16 which runs ll along underneath the track 6 and is provided to prevent the accidental displacement of the carriage from said track. The flange 10 has the spaced depending anchor plates 17, 17 and bolted to these plates are the respective 00 supports 18, 18 whose lower ends are anchored to the upstanding fin 19 which in turn is attached to the fuselage 1. If an electric motor is used it may be connected into the current conductor 20 which in turn is connected to the respective trolley poles 21, 22. These trolley poles are pivotally connected to the respective ends of the carriage frame 8 and carry the trolley wheels 23, 24, which are held in yielding contact with the trolley wire v 7 and the track 6 by means of the yieldable arms 25, 26.

As above stated the device will be propelled along by the propeller 4 but will be supported and gulded by the track 6 on which the carriage is mounted.

While I have shown what I now consider to be the preferred form of the invention it is obvious that mechanical changes may be made therein and equivalents substituted for the parts shown and I reserve the ri ht to make such mechanical changes and su stitutions as may be foundidesirable within the principle of the invention.

What I claim is The combination with an aeroplane having a fuselage, a plane, and a propeller, of an electric motor carried by the fuselage and operatively connected with. the propeller,an overhead trolley wire and track, a carriage having 00 carrier wheels movable along said trackfa hanger connecting the fuselage rigidly to the carriage, a current conductor into which the motor is connected leading from the trolley wire and grounded on the track, yieldably mounted trolley poles pivotally connected to the carriage and supporting said conductor and having trolley wheels, one of which moves in contact with the trolley arm and the other of which moves in contact with said track.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FREDERICK H. MANfiTELD. 

